The surprising link between workplace sustainability and employee happiness

Sarah works in a startup tech company. She is happy with her work, and her boss is nice. It’s a peaceful work life for Sarah. But still, she feels bored and disconnected from her colleagues. The mundane routine doesn't excite her enough to look forward to work. 

One day, an email from HR popped into her inbox. The mail announced the office has implemented a “Green Day” initiative that will occur every month, encouraging employees to bike or walk to work. One sunny Friday, Sarah decided to join in, riding her vintage bike. 

She cleaned and washed her bike the previous evening, all excited to ride her bike after a long time. The next morning, she arrived at work to find the whole team outside, enjoying a picnic with locally sourced snacks. They shared laughter and camaraderie, most of them sharing their childhood nostalgia of riding bikes. 

It made her feel more connected to her colleagues and proud of their eco-friendly efforts. From that day on, Sarah felt happier and more motivated to contribute to their sustainability initiatives.

This can be a scenario at your workplace, too! 

In this blog, we will explore workplace sustainability, its impact on employees, and how you can create a sustainable workplace and invest in employee happiness. But before that, let's do a quick recap of workplace sustainability. 

What is workplace sustainability?

Workplace sustainability is a business strategy to reduce the business's environmental impact and encourage employees to use natural resources responsibly. Sustainability at the workplace means using electricity responsibly, conserving water, indulging in local produce, and so on. By embracing sustainability at the workplace, employers can reduce their carbon footprint and protect the valuable resources of the earth. 

Benefits of promoting sustainability at work

There are several benefits of workplace sustainability. Some of these are:

Boosting company image

Sustainable companies are at the forefront of improving their brand image. Sustainable workplaces are also ethical and invested in improving employees' health ( by encouraging them to embrace sustainable choices). Employees also feel responsible towards the environment and behave more consciously. As a result, it contributes to a positive image for the company, ultimately leading to better sales. 

More happy employees

Sustainability helps to improve the workplace environment, which in turn creates more happy and satisfied employees. Sustainable workplaces allow employees to participate in decision-making, ensure everyone understands the impact, and hence be more ethical while making decisions. It helps employees see the direct impact of their actions. 

In reducing cost

One of the direct impacts of sustainability at the workplace is reduced cost of operations. For example, installing smart sensors that turn off lights when no motion is detected or installing solar panels to generate solar energy for reduced energy consumption can significantly reduce overhead costs. 

Sustainable approaches also help reduce waste and thus save costs. Eating locally sourced food, not wasting food, etc., can help companies reduce transportation and disposal costs, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management costs, and environmental damages.

Connection between sustainability and employee happiness

Sustainability practices create a more friendly and collaborative workplace environment where employees are more mindful of reducing waste and embracing sustainable choices. They are constantly encouraged to be creative and find ways to stay sustainable, making them happier and more productive because it's easier to keep them motivated. 

Practicing a culture of sustainability also builds a greater sense of purpose, enhances job satisfaction, and is the perfect tool for improving employee engagement. 

For example, Unilever achieved an 80% employee engagement rate after establishing sustainability in the workplace. Inspired by Unilever’s sustainability approach, workers at the company’s PG Tips tea factory in England developed a unique idea. As most tea comes in paper tea bags, the workers suggested reducing the end seals of each tea bag by 3 millimeters. This small factory floor suggestion has resulted in savings of €47,500 and 9.3 tonnes of paper (about 20,500 pounds) since the initiative was launched in 2015. 

Such a greater sense of purpose helps employees see the value they bring to work.

There’s also evidence that 93% of employees working in an environmentally friendly office are happier. 

Further, when employees are happy at their jobs, they feel more engaged and motivated. Research has shown that employees who work in companies that invest in green initiatives are 16% more productive than their counterparts. 

Green initiatives for a positive work environment 

If you’re ready to turn your workplace into a sustainable workplace, here are some ideas to help you get started. 

Reduce waste as much as possible. Encourage recycling at the workplace. For example, waste bins should be placed in canteens and cafeterias and labeled clearly to segregate waste. Also, clearly mention what items are acceptable as recycling items. 

Many organizations also go paperless to reduce waste. By going paperless, you can save trees from being cut down, cut costs associated with cartridge storage printing, and save energy. 

Involve your employees in the process. Ask for their ideas on how they can adopt a more sustainable approach at their daily jobs. When employees are involved and made aware of the initiatives and why sustainability matters, they will be more responsible. 

So, are you ready to embrace a green workplace environment? 

FAQ

1. How does workplace sustainability impact employee happiness?**  

Workplace sustainability fosters a collaborative environment, enhancing employee engagement and motivation. When employees see the direct benefits of their sustainable practices, they feel more connected and fulfilled at work.

2. What are some simple steps to promote sustainability in the workplace?**  

Start by reducing waste through recycling initiatives and going paperless. Involve employees in brainstorming sustainable practices, ensuring they feel responsible and invested in the company's green efforts.